“Formerly, when you did not know God, you were enslaved to those that by nature are not gods. But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be known by God, how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world, whose slaves you want to be once more?” – Galatians 4:8-9

Turning back

It’s easy (or at least natural) to look at the Christian life like this: we used to do certain things, but now that we’re believers – we don’t. And that’s a true and noble aim that we can only hope to attain through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

But that’s not what Paul is writing about here. He’s not saying I used to be a drunk, but now I’m not. I used to act sexually immoral, but now I don’t. I used to cheat people, but now I don’t. He writes about that in other places.

The challenge of the Galatians is the challenge of every believer who grew up in a particularly religious environment. Paul is issuing the challenge to resist returning to a system of rules and regulations as your metric for measuring or earning your standing with God!

The Law

The law has a very specific purpose. Simply put, the law was given so that we would realize our complete and total inability to keep it. Period.

Paul says it like this: ‘Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith‘ (Gal 3:24). The law is, and has always been, a mirror that allows us to see our true selves in light of God.

The bottom line: we don’t measure up.

We can’t measure up.

None of us.

Not even close.

The law is like looking in a mirror that shows us something is wrong. But the mirror can’t fix what’s wrong!

Only Jesus can do that.

Jesus Breaks the Cycle of Futility

Jesus is the only one who ever has kept (or ever could keep) the Law perfectly. He is the perfect, unblemished sacrifice offered for our forgiveness and salvation. When our trust is placed in Jesus as our only necessary and sufficient sacrifice, our standing in eternity is based on the work Christ did.

We actually receive His righteousness!

Once you realize and embrace that Jesus did the work – because you couldn’t and only He can – it releases you from an endless cycle of trying to earn God’s love or measure up to His standard (which is perfection by the way).

You are freed from the slavery of sin and freed to yield yourself to the power of Christ working in you. Apart from that, we would have no hope.

But we do.

His name is Jesus.

‘But when the fullness of time had come, God sent forth his Son, born of woman, born under the law, to redeem those who were under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.’ – Galatians 4:4-5

My dad’s house

There’s something comforting for me about being at my dad’s house. Now I realize that everyone has different experiences growing up…and your childhood or upbringing might not be a pleasant memory. For some of you, it might be downright painful.

I can’t relate to that. My childhood memories bring me great joy today when I think of them. I mourn the fact that children are raised into adulthood without ever knowing what it is to have a loving father and mother. But I am thankful for mine.

When I’m at my dad’s house, I am totally at ease. I am not worried about feeling comfortable. I don’t put on a performance so that he will be impressed with me. No actions are taken for show. I do not question the fatherly pride he takes in me as his son.

Adoption as sons

Scripture gives us this beautiful picture of the believer’s relationship with God. He actually chooses to adopt us as his children!

Wow!

I have several friends who have adopted and, to be honest, Tabitha and I have talked about it a good bit. I have other friends who are themselves adopted. What a different perspective they are able to have on the adoptive love the Father has for us.

Just like my earthly father beams with pride, so does my heavenly Dad – but here’s the kicker:

God’s affection toward me has nothing to do with what I do and everything to do with who I am – his son!

Can you feel the weight of that difference?

Some of you reading this can’t because your earthly father blew it. He wasn’t there. He was there but you wish he wasn’t. Physical and emotional abuse. Neglect or apathy.

Many of you are locked in a struggle of trying to earn the affection and approval of the God of the universe because the approval you so desperately wanted from your own father was never realized.

It’s a Family Thing

Don’t miss the freedom that comes from the security in knowing you are God’s chosen son or daughter. God’s word says in Psalm 139 that God formed you and knew you – that even when you were unformed substance the days of your life were formed for you.

Though fractured by sin and desperately wicked when left to our own desires, the regenerate heart is precious to the Father – in spite of your sin and shortcomings.

You are a child of the King! An heir to all that he has for you! A full member of the family.

He loves you.

He has a plan for you.

He wants you to trust His unconditional love for you.

Quit trying to earn what is already yours. Stop striving to deserve what cannot be lost.